AuthorTopic: Re: The Debate is ON!!!! (Read 8140 times)

I think both candidates did well. I found McCain surprisingly charming for someone whose policies I don't agree with (particularly in economics and Iraq). At least he's not painful to watch, like Bush. I can hardly make it through 30 seconds of Bush without cringing and actually starting to hemorrhage blood.

McCain seemed like a polished politician, firm enough on his own ground, somewhat shaky when it came to addressing new things like this tall, young opponent who had the wrong color skin. McCain deed seem comfortable in the Town Hall setup, but I agree he moved somewhat stiffly, probably a result of age and wounds. So I suppose that both gained and lost him points. He tied himself?

Obama wasn't quite as elegant as I had hoped. Twice he misspoke-- dropped a "not" from a phrase and said he was glad he'd grown up in this part of the country when he meant world. But those were minor mistakes. He did well enough dropping names and facts-- no one will match the Clintons on this, but he was good. I was glad he kept the measured tone and refused to be hurried-- a fault I have-- so I think his message stood a good chance of being received.

I enjoyed the "Truth Check" section afterwards. How _do_ you people manage to watch TV? It's like anything over a minute long is a sin. I felt like I needed to develop ADD while taking speed. Be that as it may, they managed to cram in 6 facts to check, 3 from each speech. They noted Obama was off in his GNP for Iran, saying he'd quoted the old figure of $79bn when it was closer to $58bn, so he was

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All you've got to do is choose love. That's how I live it now. I learned a long time ago, I can feed the birds in my garden. I can't feed them all. -- Ringo Starr, Rolling Stone magazine, May 2007<br />

Seems the 'fireworks' didn't happen. The economy has taken over the limelight for now and neither has good answers for that. UK BBC news reports it as a 50-50 contest. Obama championing economic questions and McCain justifying War progress.

The American people have a tough choice right now. In terms of foreign policy, I hope Obama can restore faith in America's intentions and stabalise international relations.

Most of the people I watched it with were convinced that Obama won, but they're all shameless partisans and it seemed closer to a draw to me, which in the larger scheme of things probably means there was a slight advantage to Obama. The political terrain is tilted very much in favor of the opposition this year, so all Obama, as the leader of the opposition party, really needs to do is convince people that his lot are an acceptable alternative to the current lot, which- you'd think- wouldn't be a tall order considering that the Republicans have racked up two lingering and probably unresolvable wars and a financial near-disaster on their current watch. I think Obama made progress last night, but he didn't put it away.

^ That was probably quite deliberate: don't acknowledge the opponent at all and talk to the audience instead. It's a way of signaling to the audience that the other guy isn't worth you're time, or, by implication, theirs. McCain was probably coached to do that.

I think ignoring Obama in the debate was just part of McCain's "older, wiser, experienced & ready" shtick: he was dismissing the kid (Obama) and implying that the adults in the room should have a conversation.

It looked ignorant to a lot of people. The interesting thing to me is that a guy who wrong foots himself as often as McCain does is still in the race.

Well, it's no mystery - no politician ever miscalculated by underestimating the sophistication of the American voter. Especially as we've moved to become a sound bite society, at the cost of reading and reflection - Darth Vader would have a chance of winning - he's "strong" and has "leadership skills" after all!